About the Ashley Rickards Interview

Actress, writer, director and author! I'm so thrilled for you guys to ask me anything, be it about my book A Real Guide To Really Getting It Together Once And For All (Really), directing awkward or what ever else is on your mind!!

Ashley Rickards Mar 31, 2015

I love Awkward so much even though I'm already in my 30 ' s. ..i wish there's such show during my high school years to help cope with everything. ...i think you portray Jenna really well....how much do you relate to Jenna? Many thanks, Santhy.

san7859

I do relate to jenna, however, I wish She could read my book! Maybe she could save herself some troubles and end up finally truly happy!

Ashley Rickards

Hey Ashley,

What has been your most challenging role to date? TV or Film? And do you have any acting ventures coming up that will really push the boundaries for you? Also, do you actually like The Fray or did you just do their video because? lol

MatticusXII

Fly Away, it was just such a once in lifetime role, and I had to study so much for it. I love a challenge, But even more than a challenge, I love making a difference and I think I did make a difference in the Autism community with that film. To date its still my favorite project.

Ashley Rickards

Is the book aimed at women? Can a guy find something for him in it?

fede01_8

Absolutely! I made it very gender neutral.

Ashley Rickards

What was the most fun part of directing Awkward?

ZeroCitizen

Well, its really such a passion of mine and as my second episode, I just was able to use so much of what I learned the first time around and incorporate that into an even better episode this time around. The most fun thing? Probably getting to work with jillian in one of her more dramatic scenes..

Ashley Rickards

Hello, Ashley! Do you hope to be able to do more directing in the future or do you prefer staying in front of the camera?

cellardoor41

I hope to find an even balance with great work on both ends!

Ashley Rickards

Is it weird to play a teenager when you and most of the cast are way older than the characters?

Also, what is a hobby that you had as a kid and wished you still pursued today?

Big fan of the show since day 1!

sousas

SO funny, I was actually the only teen on the show in the first two seasons. Its not weird at all!

I wish I rode horses as much as I did as a kid... Miss that.

Ashley Rickards

What's the one song you thought it was perfectly selected for an Awkward episode?

UniversalChimera

Starry eyed.

Ashley Rickards

Hello Ashley,
Thanks for the ama session

Which hat do you like the most to wear: actress? Author? Writer? Directo?

What are ur favorite memories on set?

Are you still in touch with one tree hill's cast?

(1/3)

PandoraBlackBox

I like to wear all the hats at once! But its hie when I'm not in a scene and I get to direct that, or when I am writing and simply writing. But I couldn't choose one or the other to be honest.

Ashley Rickards

What do you do on your free time?

How did you collect all the data for your book!?who inspired you to write it?
Any favorite authors?

First thing u think abt when u wake up!?

What s ur biggest fear?

Best quote?

PandoraBlackBox

I collected my data fro A Real Guide TO Really Getting It Together Once And For All (really) through trial and error. I spent so much time trying to be something, someone, that I wasn't, when I realized all these superficial changes I was making had ZERO reflection of who I was (or was to become through inner self work) on the inside. After that, it snowballed into a guide to life thats only purpose is to help you find yourself, and put your best self out there. Reflecting who you are on the inside, which who you are on the outside. And pushing yourself to be the best version of YOU. ITs really a customizable mold for anyone, literally anyone, to reconnect to their 'higher self' as Deepak chopra (one of my experts in my book) would say.

free time: writing and reading... but while I'm at the spa.
First thing I think about when I wake up, the snooze button is for losers. Wake up and seize the day.
Biggest fear: Frogs. It's irrational I know.
Best quote? "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" Ghandi

Ashley Rickards

Hi Ashley!

My favorite role you played was Sam on One Tree Hill.

So my question: Team Sam or Team Jenna?

sunnybabunny

tough call. Probably Jenna, since I've known her longer.

Ashley Rickards

Glad you're doing an AMA. I've been a fan of yours for a long time.

What was it like being on the set of American Horror Story?

kittycatkisser

Hectic! Took us two days to film a scene and it was also my first onscreen (simulated) urination. But Brando Eaton was on there with me and what a small world! Now he's on Awkward with me!

Ashley Rickards

Would you consider yourself more of a spiritual person than religious?

cellardoor41

Absolutely. I'm very spiritual, mediation and crystals and all that, but I do think everyone has their own truth, unique to them. Whether that is a specific denomination or practice, as long as we find what makes us feel small, but like warriors for a better more inclusive and loving world, thats what matters I think.

Ashley Rickards

What caused you to laugh the hardest you have ever laughed?

KomodoMoses

PRoably watching any guy make a fool of himself, at the sole expense of himself, in order to impress a girl. Its a classic. Guys, just keep it simple!!

Ashley Rickards

What was working on the set of A Haunted House 2 like?

oscarveli

it was HOTTTTTT I actually had a minor heatstroke one day. But honestly, those guys are so funny and awesome to work with that it made it all worth it.

Ashley Rickards

What inspired you to write your book?

Frajer

I spent most of my life trying to be something, someone and live some way of life that didn't work for me. No matter the changes I made to my outside, I remained miserable inside. IT wasn't until I started working on my inner most self that my ENTIRE perspective on the outside things I cover, like make up, hair, fitness, nutrition, interior design, talents, career, finances, fashion, friends, relationships and so on, started to reflect who I AM. I think theres a lack to this approach in books these days and I just wanted to contribute a truth, a method that I know works, to anyone, struggling or not, of perhaps an easier way to be happy and get what YOU want for YOUR unique life.

Ashley Rickards

What is the most amazing fact you know?

JohnnyChurlish

I open a snapple cap every week wondering for the next ;)

Ashley Rickards

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why ?

alwayssmariana

This very moment: Santa Cruz. I just need to chill.. Maybe later Antwerp or paris.

Ashley Rickards

Hey Ashley, how does it feel to be a female who has accomplished so much at such a relatively young age. Also how much input do YOU have in the direction Jenna takes and decisions/actions she makes each episode?

divatrixibelle

Aw thank you! Yeah, its pretty surreal. I really try to just focus on the day ahead and eventually it all falls into place, I got a show, I directed that show (2x), I wrote a book, I am writing more stuff now.. but if it wasn't for the perfect balance of naiveté that comes with youth and the preparation that comes with my time in the industry, I would be in a tailspin. its all about balance and trust.

Ashley Rickards

Hey Ashley!

I read somewhere you attended montessori school growing up and are now a member of Mensa, I was really impressed! My question is: being raised in such an open minded (with a clearly stellar education!) environment how has it helped you to deal with the negative criticisms you surely face as an MTV star?

Also what would you say is the best/worst aspects to being an MTV star?

RealAssBitch

honestly it goes back to some pretty specific stuff I talk about in my book A Real Guide To Really Getting It Together Once And For All Really. I was taught to work hard. Ethic wasn't ever a question for me. To put it simply, strangers being negative, its just not a part of my big plan for my unique life plan. So I tend to ignore it completely. As should anyone experiencing negative nellys.

Ashley Rickards

hey, I am a big fan of yours! My question is: what does you do every time you come back home after a long day with Awkward's cast? Brazil loves you! Please say hi or anything to my friend, her name is Camila Krügel, she introduced me to you! Lots of love 💕

giofrancos

I actually take a few minutes and remember how grateful I am, for having such a stellar cast and crew. I write down (in a worksheet included in "A Real Guide To Really Getting It Together Once and For All (Really)" and in it write down my highlights, lessons learned and goals for tomorrow. Then I meditate, and try to read myself to sleep.

Ashley Rickards

For hair health do you recommend using anything natural or special for a conditioner like eggs or honey?

Migisi1

I have tons of homemade recipes which I will be posting on my blog soon. But My biggest tip is to never buy a 'set' of conditioner and shampoo. Very rarely do you have a hair type that only has one need. Instead address its many needs but mixing up your, IE, volumizing shampoo, with your curl taming conditioner. That way you get a nice healthy head of your natural curls that its waited down too much. The possibilities are endless if your open to mixing it up. After all, your hair is just as unique as you are and nobody can claim to have a One-stop-shop or -one size-fits-all-approach..

Ashley Rickards

1.What made you want to write this book? (Cannot wait to start reading it btw)

2.What is one piece of advice you have for a high schooler?

Who are some of your favorite authors?

What can we except in the new/final season of Awkward?

Tell me a joke...lol.

Sending lots of love Ash! Keep doing your thang!! ❤️

eherms98

First my advice would be to realize, you are special. You are so perfectly imperfect at this exact moment that life has given you. Don't dismiss the challenges and run forward into the opportunities. Thats really what my book is about, matching who you are on the indie, who you TRUELY are to your outsides, no matter what it should reflect. Thats happiness and I wanted to spread that truth through my book.
Also some of my favorite authors are Deepak chopra, Carl Sagan, Allan Watts and Flannery O' Conner.

Ashley Rickards

Are you a dog or cat person?!

Sduong

Both! I have a pomeranian and a three legged main coon cat. They love each other :)

Ashley Rickards

Intensely serious question:
who wins in a knockdown drag out fight, Catwoman or Robin? And how?

Watchmen96

catwoman

Ashley Rickards

With whom do u wanna work someday?

Future plans?

U r sent to a desert island, u can take only five things! What are they?

The best advice u have been given in life or career? By whom?

Thanks!

PandoraBlackBox

I'd take, my phone, a charged external battery charger, a flare gun, a knife and lots of water. Because I have no intention of being in castaway.